PPAI’s Leadership Development Conference is underway this week outside of Dallas, welcoming regional association leaders and emerging professionals from across the promotional products industry for learning, collaboration and connection.
Following networking festivities on Monday evening, the educational component began Tuesday morning with an inspirational keynote from three-time Olympian bobsledder Steve Mesler, who challenged attendees to seize on their vulnerability – fears, doubts and uncertainty – to unlock their full potential.
In guided workbook activities, Mesler asked attendees about their current actions that don’t align with their aspirations. What keeps you up at night or where are you not acting like the person, the leader, the partner or parent you want to be? What’s holding you back?
The key to effective leadership, Mesler suggested, is self awareness.
“Once we set our goals, and once we start to do something about it, we build some awareness around it,” Mesler said. “What is it about me that’s stopping me from doing these things? If I’m going to get to the way I want to live, I’ve got to figure out [myself].
“All of these things will translate to your organizations.”
Steve Mesler
LDC Keynote Speaker
A philanthropist, executive coach and member of the U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame, Mesler showed off the “favorite piece of swag” he accumulated during his career – a gold medal from the 2010 Vancouver games. He also shared insights from his athletic and professional experience, encouraging attendees to embrace purpose-driven leadership and focus on what truly drives high performance – appropriate messaging for the volunteer leaders and rising professionals in the audience.
An evolution of the Association’s long-running educational conference for regional board members and executive directors, LDC now combines the regional component with an educational track for young leaders in the industry, including the 2025 PPAI Rising Stars. An effort to introduce young industry pros to volunteering opportunities close to home, the mixing began with a reception for all attendees on Monday, followed by networking dine-around dinners at area restaurants.
Before introducing Mesler, PPAI President and CEO Drew Holmgreen opened the conference’s educational sessions on Tuesday morning by thanking attendees for making the investment in their own futures – and the futures of the regional constituents they represent – and underscoring the importance of the relationship between the Association and its regional partners.
“Where PPAI really excels with a global footprint, our regional associations provide some of the more important localized career advancement that all takes place at the local regional level,” Holmgreen said. “Regional associations are really the local powerhouses. They’re the ones who are responsible for converting a global message into a connected community.”
Drew Holmgreen
President & CEO, PPAI
The conference continues through Wednesday afternoon, with educational sessions and roundtables designed to strengthen leadership, collaboration and community across the promotional products industry.
